Western Wind

The author of this sixteenth-century poem represents two types of change in the poem, one positive and one negative. When the speaker asks the West wind when it will “blow/ The small rain down” (Lines 1 - 2), it is unclear whether the speaker desires the wind to blow away the rain, or blow the rain towards the speaker. If the wind blows the rain away from the speaker, then it may provide them with clearer, brighter weather. On the other hand, if the wind blows the rain towards the speaker, it may bring forth growth and new life in the speaker’s immediate vicinity. Both scenarios come with their own positives and negatives: peace from the rain or drought, new life or flooding. A possible third option fir change could be that the wind won’t come for a while, and the climate will remain stagnant. Whatever the movements of the West wind, the speaker makes clear that change is inevitable, as well as unpredictable.

Despite the unpredictability of Mother Nature and the West wind which may or may not choose to move the rain, one place is able to provide solace for the speaker.